Thane: 6-year-old girl was kicked by step-dad, dumped in river

The 6-year-old girl, who survived for 11 hours in the river, was thrown from the Badlapur bridge by her step-father because he did not like her, as she was not his child. The Vartak Nagar police are looking for him.

mid-day's report on the incident

The girl identified as Ekta Tulsiram Saini, is the daughter of Nirmaladevi Saini (35). After Nirmaladevi's husband's death, to secure her and her daughter's future, she married the accused Tulsiram Saini (36) a labourer who resides in Thane, seven years back.

"My husband didn't like my daughter, so I sent her to my mother's place in Meerut district. Later I gave birth to a boy," said Nirmaladevi who spoke from Thane Civil hospital where Ekta is undergoing treatment.

Nirmaladevi claimed her husband would come home drunk and assault and abuse her and also registered a false kidnapping case against her. Ekta is in Std I and used to come on vacation to Thane at her mother's place. "On Wednesday evening when I returned home my neighbour told me my husband had taken my daughter with him at 5.30 pm. I contacted him but his phone was switched off. After a sleepless night, on Thursday morning I registered a kidnapping case at Vartak Nagar police station," she said.

"The police should take strict action against my husband. My daughter says that she was kicked like a football by him and his friend before being thrown in the river," Nirmaladevi added.

MN Satdive, Police Inspector, Crime, Vartak Nagar police station said, "We have sent a letter to the Thane sessions court explaining the incident and the status of the accused. Further investigation is on."